IN considering the application of the gas turbine to automobiles, the turbine faces competition with existing power units, which are satisfactorily meeting present requirements.

Unless the gas turbine can be made sufficiently attractive to promise performance beyond the bounds presently attained by reciprocating engines, its sphere of influence in the automotive field will be restricted.

This paper presents comparisons of the calculated performance of a gas turbine engine with that of a comparable reciprocating engine.

Some of the possible improvements that may be investigated by turbine designers are listed, together with the advantages and disadvantages of the gas turbine as an automotive powerplant.